Locally-based doctors in the British Medical Association (BMA) have launched a vision for the health service in Northern Ireland.



Speaking at its launch, Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the Association said: 

"BMA is an advocate for a publicly provided health service, and we would like this to continue.



"We believe that as doctors work closely with patients who use the service, we can provide a highly informed view of the health service and how it can be improved.”



Dr Darragh (pictured) continued: "The vision outlined in this document includes features that BMA believes are essential to the delivery of an effective and fully integrated health service for Northern Ireland."

He believes the health service should be:

• Free at the point of delivery and based on need
• Strategically managed with effective long-term planning
• Outcome focussed and not driven by targets

The British Medical Association has also produced recommendations for action.

Danny Lambe, BMA(NI) Secretary elaborated, saying: "Building on the BMA vision is a range of recommendations that outline how the vision could be delivered in a practical way."

Some of the recommendations include:

• Ensuring parity of terms and conditions for doctors in Northern Ireland with other UK countries to ensure that there is a level playing field regarding recruitment and retention of doctors for the health care system in Northern Ireland
• Planned and managed service reconfiguration in secondary care
• Commissioning of services to be on a national, regional or local basis depending on the outcomes from health needs assessment processes

Mr Lambe concluded: "The Association expects that policy-makers and decision-makers within the health service will consider the Association's views on the health service and that these are factored into any future health service plans."

(BMcN/GK)